Swimming pool cleaner and filter



Feb. 26, 1963 c. M. BLUMENFQLD 3,078,998

SWIMMING POOL CLEANER AND FILTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 6, 19591963 c. M. BLUMENFELD I 3,0 8

SWIMMING PQQL CLEANER AND FILTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV- 6. 1959FIG;

INVENTOR. BLUMENFELD ATTO/P/VEVS M S M w Feb. 26, 1963 c. M- BLUMENFELD3,078,998

SWIMMING POOL CLEANER AND FILTER Filed Nov. 6. 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3fizz z Feb. 26, 1963 Filed NOV. 6, 1959 C. M- BLUMENFELD SWIMMING POOLCLEANER AND FILTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 52 f, 86 68 66 74 4o 82 I 8O 42 i 6939 78 72 7o 4 I 41 69 g 45 -48 -44 k I i 1 A36 fl 38 G r .5OM

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CHARLES M BL UMENFELD A T TORNE VS United States Fatah t 3,673,998SWEWMING PGOL CLEANER AND FILTER Charles M. Blumenfeld, 4790 ParkridgeRoad, Sacramento, Calif. Filed Nov. 6, 1959, Ser. No. 351,427 3 Claims.or. 219-169) ,The present method involves the use of a manually operatedsuction head to pick up sediment on the bottom of the pool. This methodis effective, but it requires one or two men several hours to do athorough job on the average size residential swimming pool. Sincetheclean- .ing operation must be done approximately once a week,

it is an appreciable expense in pool maintenance.

The invention described and claimed in my copending application providesan automatic cleaning device for removing sediment from swimming poolswithout requiring supervision of an operator. The device of thatinvention can be set to start the cleaning operation, and left for anylength of time required to complete the job. Thus, one man can set aplurality of the devices in pools located considerable distances apartand leave the devices running without any supervision. The same man canlater pick up the devices after the pools are clean. In this way, aone-man crew can service many pools almost simultaneously, which is notpossible with the presently available techniques.

Briefly, the swimming pool cleaning apparatus of my copendingapplication includes a water filtering system, and a movable elongatedconduit which is free at one end and disposed over the surface of thepool. The other end of the conduit is connected to a source of waterunder pressure, and means are provided for disposing the free end of theconduit, or the free end of a hose connected to the conduit, adjacentthe swimming pool bottom so that sediment on the bottom of the pool isstirred up as water flows out the free end of the hose or conduit. Meansare provided responsive to water flowing through the conduit forsweeping the conduit gently back and forth over the surface of the poolso that all parts of the pool are covered. The apparatus also includesmeans for circulating the water with stirred up sediment through thefiltering system as water flows through the conduit.

The foregoing system is effective in automatically cleanin swimmingpools, but is subject to some interference from leaves settled onthebottom of the pool. When the sediment and water fiow through the drainin the bottom of the pool en route to the main filter, the leavesaccumulate over the drain, either reducing or stopping the flow ofwater. Removal of the leaves is awkward and time-consuming because thedrain is usually located on the main center line of the pool and ofcourse is in the deepest part of the pool. Even if the leaves slip pastthe drain they eventually are caught by the main filter for the pool,often after first passing through the main filter pump. Thus, the leavesquickly block the filter and may even cause damage to the pump. Thisundesirable condition is not readily detectable, and is a nuisance tocorrect, particularly with present standard swimming pool filters whichare difiicult to open and clean.

This invention solves the leaf problem by using a suctio'n line with anintake end adjacent and adapted to move with the discharge end of theconduit or hose.

secondary filter following the strainer.

systems.

2 The other end of the suction line is connected to an an iliary filterwith a coarse strainer, which stops leaves and other objects of similarshape, but permits free pas sage of water and sediment. The auxiliaryfilter is located and constructed for easy access to the strainer.Preferably, at least a portion of the filter is transparent to permitvisual inspection of the condition of the strainer. Leaves on thestrainer are thus easily detected, and are easily removed by opening thefilter. Thus, leaves are trapped where they are easily removed, and theydo not find their way into the main filter pump or the main filter forthe swimming pool.

The preferred form of the invention also includes 'a This arrangementsupplements the action of the regular pool filter, or can be used inpools not equipped with recirculating filter In effect, this preferredembodiment is a recirculating filter system with an intake moving aboutto all parts of the pool.

These and other aspects of the invention will be more fully understoodfrom the following detailed description taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan View of the cleaning device mounted on thebank of a swimming pool;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-4. of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view of the presently preferredembodiment of the cleaning device shown adapted to be used as aself-contained recirculating filter system;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. Sis an elevational view of a modification of the cleaning deviceshown in FIG. 4;

' FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of a nozzle and suction lineused in the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a view taken on line 77 of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaning apparatus it of this inventionis mounted on the side bank 11 of a swimming pool 12, which includes theusual diving board 13, ladders 14, and sump drain 15. The sump drain isconnected through a sump pipe 16 and 3-way valve 16A to the inlet of amain filter pump 17, which has its outlet connected by a pipe 18 to theinlet of a convention-sl main filter 20. The outlet of the filter 29 isconnected by a pipe 21 through a first valve 22 to a clean waterdischarge 2d at the deep end of the pool. A pipe line 25, whichterminates at a point X is connected through a second valve 26 to line21 between the first valve and the filter pump. A pipe line 25A, whichterminates at a point Y is connected to the main filter pump inletthrough the 3-way 'valve. As shown in FIG. 2, the swimming pool isfilled with water 27.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cleaning apparatus includes a cart 23made up of a horizontal and rectangular frame 3% at one end of which ismounted a pair of wheels 3'2. An upwardly extending handle 34 is rigidlyattached to the end of the cart on which the wheels are mounted, and aseparate downwardly extending leg 36 is mounted at each of the cornersat the other end of the frame 39 to provide a level support when thecart is positioned as shown in FIG. 4. The handle 34 is reinforced by aseparate diagonal brace 37 connected at one end to the handle and itsother end to an intermediate portion of the frame edge. The cart isreadily portable by simply tilting the frame about the axis of thewheels to lift the legs off the ground.

A horizontal base plate 3.3 is rigidly attached to the frame andsupports an electric motor 39, an auxiliary water jetting pump 4-9having an inlet 41 and an outlet 42, and a gear box 44. The electricmotor drives the water pump through a shaft 46, and also drives ahorizontal input shaft as of the gear box.

The pump inlet is connected to one end of a flexible 7) so the largerportion of the scoop opens nozzle. A central intake 12% in the scoopenough to prevent the passage of leaves, but offer little impedance tothe flow of water or ordinary sediment. A.

cover 596 is secured to the case over the chamber and held in place bywing nuts Sill-l. An O-ring Sill in an annular groove 55;] in the upperedge of the case makes a fluid-tight seal between the cover and case. Adownwardly extending annular skirt Sill; formed integrally with thecover, holds the strainer in place. An inlet 56L in the center of thecover is connected toan elongated and flexible suction line StlM,described in detail below. Preferably, the filter case and cover aremade of a transparent material such as Lucite plastic to permit easyvisual inspection of the condition of the strainer.

Power is supplied to the electric motor through electric lead 51. A 90swivel joint 52 is connected to the pump outlet The swivel joint is ofconventional make, such as that supplied by the Barco ManufacturingCompany, and is free to rotate 360 about a vertical axis (as viewed inFIG. The discharge end of the swivel joint is connected to the inlet endof an elongated horizontal hollow support arm or conduit 54-, whichincludes a relatively small diameter section 55 connected directly tothe swivel joint, and a larger diameter section 56 which makes a slidingfit over the smaller section. Assho-wn most clearly in PEG. 3, the outerend of the smaller diameter section includes an enlarged annular boss 58which makes a sliding seal inside the inner end of the larger diametersection of the support arm. An annular O-ring so around the boss sealsthe annular space between the boss and the interior of the largersection of the support arm. A collar 62 on the inner end of the largersection of the support arm makes a sliding fit around the intermediateportion of the smaller section. A downwardly extending pin 64 is rigidlyattached at its upper end to the collar 62, and has its lower enddisposed in a curved groove 65 formed in the upper surface of ahorizontal guide plate 65 supported by vertical posts 69 welded to theframe of the cart. A horizontal circular rotatable table 76 is attachedto the upper end of a vertical output shaft 72 of the gear box 4-4 underthe guide plate, and is adapted to rotate in a clockwise direction asshown in FIG. 3. A vertical drive pin 74 is attached at its lower end tothe rotary table, and extends up through a first longitudinal slot 7 tiformed in one end of an elongated lever arm '7? attached at that end bya pivot 39 to the frame of the cart. A vertical bolt 82 is disposedthrough a second longitudinal slot S4 at the other end of the lever arm,and is threaded into a nut 86 welded to the underside of the smallersection of the support arm. As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, the outerend of the support arm is bent at a 90 angle to extend vertically downthrough an annular buoy 88 secured to the downwardly extending part ofthe support arm at water level. The lower end of the support arm extendsa substantial distance below the buoy into the water to provideadditional stability for the arm. The upper end of a flexible hose 9% isattached to the end of the support arm below the buoy, and a nozzle 122is attached through a swivel 93 to the free end of the hose. A generallyconcave and flat bottom scoop 124 is spaced from and attached to thenozzle and swivel by three elongated rods 126 (see FIG. toward the isconnected through a swivel 13% to the lower end of the suction lineStlM, which has about twice the ID. of hose 9%.

As shown in PEG. 2, the suction line SllM jumps over the space betweenthe nozzle and the scoop, and is secured by clamps 131 to the hose d9,passes through the buoy 38, and is secured by clamps 131 to theunderside of the large diameter section 55 of the conduit to the pointshown in FIG. 4. As previously stated, the upper end of the suction line515M is connected to the auxiliary filter inlet, enough slack beingprovided so as not to interfere with the oscillation of the conduit.

In the operation of the system arranged as shown in FIG. 4, and forpools having a main filter pump and filter as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,the 3-way valve is set as shown in FIG. 1, and the main filter pump isturned on so that it picks up water from the drain 15. Valve 22 is openand valve 26 is closed so that water is circulated through the mainfilter and out the discharge line 24-.

The auxiliary motor 39 on the cart is also turned on so that water jetsfrom the nozzle. and lifts sediment ofi the pool bottom and directs ittoward the scoop. Water, stirred up sediment, and any leaves in the pathof the jet are drawn in the suction line 50M and passed through thefilter 5013. Water jetting out of the nozzle causes it to trace a randompath over the bottom of the pool as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1.

The motor 39 on the cart also actuates the gear box so the rotary tableis turned in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 3. The drive pin 74on the rotary table travels in the first longitudinal slot 76 of thelever arm 73, causing the lever arm to oscillate back and forth throughan angle of about The movement of the unpivoted end of the lever armcauses the bolt 32 on the smaller section of the support arm to travellongitudinally in the second slot 84 of the lever arm and in turnoscillates the support arm about the swivel joint 52 through an angle ofabout 90". This movement of the support arm causes the traveling pin 64on the collar of the larger section of the support arm to travel ingroove 66 of the horizontal guide plate. As the support arm swings fromthe extreme left position shown in FIG. 3 to the extreme right positionshown in dotted lines of FIG. 3, the length of the support arm istelescopcd to a minimum when the support arm is over the center of thepool, and extended to a maximum when the arm is in either of the extremeright or left positions. Thus, the outer end of the support arm traces asubstantially rectilinear path for the length of the pool insuringuniform coverage of the pool by the nozzle.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 4 provides for efficient removal ofsediment and leaves, because the water passed through the auxiliaryfilter is selected from the immediate vicinity of the nozzle Whereturbidity due to sediment is at a maximum. The operation of the mainfilter pump aids in further clarification of the water in the pool byfiltering stirred up sediment which may be missed by the scoop. However,the scoop is effective in picking up most of the sediment andpractically all of the leaves so that drain 15 does not become clogged.Instead, the leaves are caught on the strainer in the filter 503 locatedon the side of the pool adjacent the cart. In addition, the jet andscoop remove any occasional leaf which may find its way to the drain.Any time the flow of water through the auxiliary pump becomes impeded bythe accumulation of leaves on the strainer, it is a simple matter toopen the case of the filter and remove the leaves. The transparentproperty of the filter case facilitates inspection of the condition ofthe strainer. Of course, if the resin filter cartridge becomes pluggedwith sediment, it is easily replaced or backwashed. With theself-contained system of FIG. 4, swimming pools can be cleaned eventhough they do not have their own main filter pump and filter system.

An alternative way of operating the apparatus of FIG. 4 is shownschematically in FIGS. 1 and 2. The intake hose 50 on the auxiliary pump40 is disconnemed from the inlet 50A of the filter 59B and placed in thewater as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The filter outlet 5%A is connected toline 25A at point Y, and the 3-way valve 16A is turned clockwise 90 fromthe position shown in FIG. 1 so that water is drawn into the suctionline by the main filter pump 17, passed through filter 20, valve 22 andout discharge line 24. The auxiliary pump is turned on as before, andwater is drawn into intake line 50 and discharged out nozzle 122, theoperation of the apparatus being as previously described, except thatthe water from the auxiliary filter 50B is passed through the mainfilter and returned to the deep end of the pool by discharge line 24.With this arrangement, relatively clean and filtered Water is notrecirculated back to the zone of maximum turbidity. Leaves do not clogthe drain because all water is drawn in scoop 124.

If desired, the electric motor on the cart shown in FIG. 4 can bereplaced by a water turbine 160 as shown in FIG. 5, and the auxiliarypump replaced by a stand pipe 192 having an inlet 104 connected to pipe25 at point X (see FIG. 1). First valve 22 is closed and the secondvalve 26 is open. A primary outlet 11d of the stand pipe is connected tothe swivel joint 52. and a secondary out let 112 of the stand pipe isconnected to an inlet 114 of the water turbine. Water is discharged fromthe turbine through an outlet 116. The water turbine has a drive shaft118 which powers the input shaft 48 of the gear box 44. The remainingelements of the cleaning device are identical to those described withrespect to FIG. 4, except that the outlet 50A of the auxiliary filter59B is connected to pipe 25A at point Y (see FIG. 1). The 3-way valve16A is rotated clockwise 90 from the position shown in FIG. 1, and valve22 is closed and valve 26 is opened so that when the main filter pump24} is turned on water is pumped into inlet 104 of the stand pipecausing turbine 100 to drive the oscillator and supplying water tonozzle 122. Stirred up sediment and leaves are drawn into the scoopthrough section line 50M, circulated through the auxiliary filter 50B,where leaves are removed, and then passed through the main filteringsystem back to point X.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for cleaning sediment out of a pool of liquid, theapparatus comprising a movable buoyant support adapted to float in thepool, an elongated laterally movable conduit disposed over the surfaceof the pool and carried by the buoyant support, an elongated anddownwardly extending hose disposed so a discharge end of the hose is inthe vicinity of the bottom of the pool, the

hose being flexible for a substantial portion of its length in thewater, means connecting the other end of the hose to the conduit, meansfor supplying liquid under pressure to the conduit of the hose so thatliquid flows from the discharge end of the hose, a nozzle, a firstswivel conmeeting the discharge end of the hose to the nozzle, means formoving the conduit laterally over the pool as water flows through theconduit so that the discharge end of the hose is moved over the bottomof the pool and so that sediment in the pool is stirred up by waterflowing out of the hose, a suction line for removing from the poolliquid with stirred up sediment, one end of the line being disposedadjacent the discharge end of the hose, a scoop spaced from the nozzleand opening toward the nozzle, a second swivel connecting the said oneend of the suction line to the scoop, means connecting the scoop to thenozzle so they move together, and means cooperating with the pool bottomand swivels for orienting the nozzlescoop assembly so t e nozzledischarge is directed downwardly toward the pool bottom and toward thescoop at an angle to the axis of the scoop, a filter having an inlet andoutlet, means connecting the other end of the suction line to the filterinlet, and means for circulating water from the said one end of the linethrough the suction line and filter.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the filter includes a housingwith an inlet and an outlet, and a strainer in the housing between theinlet and outlet, at least a portion of the housing being transparent sothe strainer is visible from the housing exterior.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the filter includes a housingwith an inlet and an outlet, a relatively coarse strainer in the housingbetween the inlet and outlet, and a finer filter element in the housingbetween the strainer and the outlet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. APPARATUS FOR CLEANING SEDIMENT OUT OF A POOL OF LIQUID, THEAPPARATUS COMPRISING A MOVABLE BUOYANT SUPPORT ADAPTED TO FLOAT IN THEPOOL, AN ELONGATED LATERALLY MOVABLE CONDUIT DISPOSED OVER THE SURFACEOF THE POOL AND CARRIED BY THE BUOYANT SUPPORT, AN ELONGATED ANDDOWNWARDLY EXTENDING HOSE DISPOSED SO A DISCHARGE END OF THE HOSE IS INTHE VICINITY OF THE BOTTOM OF THE POOL, THE HOSE BEING FLEXIBLE FOR ASUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF ITS LENGTH IN THE WATER, MEANS CONNECTING THEOTHER END OF THE HOSE TO THE CONDUIT, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID UNDERPRESSURE TO THE CONDUIT OF THE HOSE SO THAT LIQUID FLOWS FROM THEDISCHARGE END OF THE HOSE, A NOZZLE, A FIRST SWIVEL CONNECTING THEDISCHARGE END OF THE HOSE TO THE NOZZLE, MEANS FOR MOVING THE CONDUITLATERALLY OVER THE POOL AS WATER FLOWS THROUGH THE CONDUIT SO THAT THEDISCHARGE END OF THE HOSE IS MOVED OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE POOL AND SOTHAT SEDIMENT IN THE POOL IS STIRRED UP BY WATER FLOWING OUT OF THEHOSE, A SUCTION LINE FOR REMOVING FROM THE POOL LIQUID WITH STIRRED UPSEDIMENT, ONE END OF THE LINE BEING DISPOSED ADJACENT THE DISCHARGE ENDOF THE HOSE,